Adhesive spreader



p 17, 1957 I R. YCOTTAR 2,806,240

- I ADHESIVE SPREADER Fil ed Sept. 24, 1954 INVENTOR' United States Patent ADHESIVE SPREADER Robert Cottar, Red Bluff, Calif. Application September 24, 1954, Serial No. 458,048

' 1 Claim. (c1. 15-236) This invention relates generally to an improved hand tool for use by craftsmen, particularly those engaged in the art of wall andceiling finishing.

In particular the invention" is directed to, and it'is an object to provide, 'a novel hand tool for spreading adhesive ina band-like, limited-width course; the tool being especially designed-but not limited-for use in applying a thick or viscous adhesive along abutting joints of sheet rock on a wall or ceiling preparatory to application of the tape which is conventionally used to cover such joints.

Another important object of the invention is to pro vide an adhesive spreader, as above, which includes a handle-supported spatula, and a novel arrangement of spring-urged sidewings disposed at the ends of the forward portion of the spatula in a position operative to maintain the adhesive within the confines of the path or course defined by the spatula as it is moved in engagement with a surface to which the adhesive is being applied.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an adhesive spreader, for the purpose described, which is operative to spread the adhesive in a band which is relatively thin and having a corrugated-like effect, whereby to reduce the quantity of adhesive required, yet assuring of a positive bond full width of the band when the joint covering tape is applied to the sheet rock.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an adhesive spreader which is designed for ease and economy of manufacture and convenience of use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a practical, reliable, and durable adhesive spreader, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the adhesive spreader, with the parts in their initial positions.

Fig. 2 is a longituidnal sectional elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the adhesive spreader as in use, showing particularly the parts in the positions which they then occupy.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary under side view of the forward portion of the spatula showing the serrated working edge.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, the adhesive spreader comprises a longitudinally extending spatula 1 formed, at its rear end, with a shank 2 which engages in a longitudinal, forwardly opening slot 3 in a wooden handle 4.

From the forward end of the handle 4 the spatula 1 progressively increases in width to a point short of the forward or working edge 5 of said spatula, which working edge is serrated as shown, with longitudinal undercuts 6 ground in the bottom face of the spatula immediately inwardly of the serrated working edge 5, and in matching relation to the notches thereof. The purpose 2,806,241 Patented Sept. 17, 1957 of the serrated edge 5 and under-cuts 6 will hereinafter appear.

The spatula, at its forward portion, is formed with parallel ends 7, and longitudinal sidewings 8 are disposed at right angles to the spatula at said ends 7 thereof; the sidewings 8 each including a forward portion 9 of substantially the same length as, and parallel to, the ends 7, and an integral rearward portion 10 angled inwardly in matching relation to the taper of said spatula.

The sidewings 8 are connected together in rigid integral relation by means of a cross plate 11 which spans above the spatula 1 and merges with the rearward portions 10 of the sidewings at the upper edge thereof.

A flat, longitudinally extending spring tongue v12 is disposed centrally above the spatula, with the forward end of said tongue engaged on the cross plate 11 and secured thereto by riveting or spot-welding, as at 13.

The rear end portion of the spring tongue 12 projects into the slot 3 as a shank 14, which matches the shank 2 of the spatula; said shanks being maintained apart a slight distance by a spacer 15 disposed in the slot 3 between such shanks.

The shanks 2 and 14, together with the spacer 15, are longitudinally centrally slotted top to bottom, and within the handle straddle a rear fixed cross pin 16 and a forward cross screw 17. Such cross screw 17 is normally tightened whereby to maintain the shanks 2 and 4 and the spacer 15 against escape from the handle. However, by merely loosening such cross screw 17 the parts may all be withdrawn from the slot 3, as may be necessary to cleaning of the elements of the tool, or for replacement of any part thereof which may become worn or damaged.

From a point adjacent but short of the rear ends of the sidewings 8, the lower edges 18 thereof incline forwardly-i. e. in converging relation to the under surface of the forward portion of the spatula; the rear edges 19 of the sidewings 8 being rearwardly inclined sharply toward the spatula, as shown.

With the above described hand tool, a quantity of viscous adhesive is disposed, as at 20, on the surface 21 for spreading; such quantity 20 of adhesive being at the outset of no greater width than the distance apart of the sidewings 8.

Thereafter, with the handle 4 grasped in one hand the operator disposes the tool at a forward and downward incline, with the serrated working edge 5 in engagement with the surface 21 ahead of the quantity of unspread adhesive 20.

When the spatula is so engaged with the surface 21, the sidewings 8 are sprung outwardly relative to the spatula 1 to an extent that the lower edges 18 of said sidewings ride the surface 21 in substantially parallel relation thereto.

The tool is then drawn in a straight line along the surface 21; the working edge 5 of the spatula 1 spreading the adhesive into a thin layer 22 on said surface 21 in a band.

During such movement of the sidewings 8 efiectively prevent the adhesive from spreading laterally beyond the ends 7 of the spatula 1; i. e. the adhesive is confined to a band-like, limited-width strip or course as is desirable, especially when applying adhesive along abutting joints of sheet rock preparatory to the application of the covering tape. Otherwise, there is adhesive remaining on the sheet rock laterally of the tape, and which is undesirable.

As the spatula 1 is drawn along the surface 21, with the serrated working edge 5 spreading the adhesive into the thin layer 22, such edge 5 and the longitudinal under-cuts 6 produce a corrugated-like elfect in such spread layer of adhesive; this being of advantage in that it permits the layer 22 to be spread relatively thin, yet with sufiicient adhesive remaining for a positive bond, with the tape, full width thereof, when it is applied.

The facing produced by the spacer 15 between the spatula 1 and spring tongue 12 immediately ahead of the handle 4 is of advantage for the-reason that-if any of the adhesive or other substance gains access between such parts the spring tongue 12 will not be restrained from return motion to'its initial position, with the forward portion of the spatula 1 relatively raised between the sidewings 8.

With the described hand tool, including the sidewings 8 which accomplish a confining action, an adhesive can be readily and conveniently applied in a band-like, limited width course or strip on a surface.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as will sub stantially fulfill the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and uponwhich Letters Patent are desired:

A hand tool comprising a handle, a spatula projecting forwardly from the handle and having a transverse forward working edge and upper and lower faces, longitudinal laterally facing sidewings disposed along opposite side edges of the spatula at the forward portion thereof, the sidewings depending from the lower face of said portion of the spatula, a tongue extending lengthwise of and above the spatula, and means connecting the sidewings and tongue as a unit; the spatula and tongue including rear-end shanks and the handle being transversely slotted to its forward end to receive the shanks, said shanks having relatively narrow slots open to the rear end of the shanks, a cross pin secured in the handle and projecting through said slots adjacent their rear end, and a releasable clamping screw in the handle projecting through said slots adjacent the forward end thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 486,066 Abrams Nov. 8, 1892 517,868 Krichbaurn Apr. 10, 1894 1,141,103 Casler June 1, 1915 2,158,695 Foss May 16, 1939 

